Analyze the economic and political issues that precipitated the Opium War as well as the consequences of British victory.

Following the British gaining control over key areas in China during the imperialistic period, the Chinese population rebelled against western influence. Their was concern over the cultural shifts as well as harm done by economic influence of the British. The British wanted many Chinese goods but found themselves spending much money on those goods with no balance trade taking place as the Chinese wanted little from the British. The British then introduced opium from their India colony into China creating a demand through addiction. This addiction lead to social and economic decline in China as people were going to opium dens instead of work. The Opium Wars were not only a protest against the introduction of opium but also a fight over the influence the British were having economically and politically in China.